Uncertainty and Fear Amid Pakistan’s Deadline for Afghan Refugees to Leave
Amid Pakistan’s verbal deadline for Afghan refugees to leave the country by February 28, 2025, a sense of uncertainty and fear has taken hold of Afghan nationals, particularly those temporarily residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has stated that Afghan citizens holding valid visas or transfer letters to other countries must leave these cities by March 31. However, the Afghan embassy criticized Pakistan’s decision, calling it unilateral.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected these allegations, emphasizing that Pakistan is working to facilitate the safe return of Afghan citizens and expects Afghan authorities to protect the rights of those returning. The government also reassured that Afghans have been hosted with dignity and there is no intention to harass them.
Under the new directive, Afghan nationals holding visas or transfer letters will have until March 31 to leave Pakistan.
**Concerns Among Afghan Refugees**
An Afghan woman residing in Islamabad, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed her distress, saying, “Our situation is now like a fish without water.” She shared how the uncertainty of their future in Pakistan has left them in a state of fear, with no clear path forward. “We don’t know what to do next; it feels like we are locked in a cage, and even if we escape, we have no idea where to go,” she added, emphasizing the fear of returning to Afghanistan due to security concerns.
Another Afghan, who has been living in Pakistan’s twin cities for nearly 20 years, expressed his sorrow over the sudden decision to expel long-term residents. “Pakistan welcomed us two decades ago, and now, after all these years, it’s heartbreaking to be asked to leave,” he said. He mentioned that due to the ongoing unrest and police raids, he had already moved his family to Peshawar in early February. Despite this, his business remains in Islamabad, and he fears that if he moves to Peshawar, he could soon end up on the streets.
**Looking to the US as a Potential Destination**
One Afghan refugee expressed that while the situation is stressful, they remain hopeful about the possibility of resettling in the United States. “Although the situation in Pakistan is increasingly difficult, there is hope for us in America,” he said.
**Afghans Awaiting Resettlement Abroad**
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, around 80,000 Afghan citizens have already been resettled in various countries, with nearly 40,000 still residing in Pakistan. Since November 2023, official reports show that at least 800,000 Afghan refugees have left Pakistan.
The Ministry also clarified that while Afghan refugees have reported widespread harassment, these allegations remain unsubstantiated.
This uncertain situation has left many Afghan nationals stranded, facing the challenge of either returning to an unstable Afghanistan or seeking new opportunities abroad.
